At a Legislative Council panel on Monday – which Cheng agreed to attend after previously refusing – she was repeatedly asked by Democratic Party lawmaker Ted Hui if she was involved in offering legal advice to the government.

A rally on Sunday criticised Teresa Cheng. Photo: Tom Grundy/HKFP.

“The legal advice is the advice given by the Department of Justice,” Cheng repeatedly said, until she admitted to personal involvement after being challenged for a fifth time.

“The legal advice given is confidential,” she added.

Chow was barred from entering the election race after an election officer said her party contravened the Basic Law – a move which top lawyers described as “unreasonable, unlawful and unconstitutional.”

Democratic Party Roy Kwong asked Cheng: “You ask us to give you a chance, but who will give a chance to Agnes Chow?… You blame the election officer, but will you bear your own responsibility as justice secretary?” An election officer stated that independence was listed as an option in a public referendum proposed by her party, Demosisto.

Cheng repeated her answer that it was the election officer’s decision: “It was not my decision.”

When repeatedly asked to resign, Cheng reiterated that she only joined the government because she had a passion to do the job.

Cheng did not directly answer as to whether candidates would be barred in the future if they expressed support for ending China’s one-party rule. Though she later told reporters that the decision to ban Chow was “not political.”

Illegal structures scandal

Cheng was also challenged over an illegal structures scandal which has haunted her since she took office. She told lawmakers that she did not know the previous property owner of her Tuen Mun house, where modifications are underway to remove illegal structures.

“I will learn my lesson and respond to lawmakers more actively and faster,” she said, as she apologised several times.

Teresa Cheng. Photo: Kris Cheng/HKFP.

But lawmaker Tanya Chan questioned why Cheng signed a mortgage document which stated there was no illegal basement: “Did you lie?”

Cheng said that, as the owner of the property, she will bear the legal responsibility: “I did not notice how the document was written at the time.”

Support independent media

Partner with HKFP

HKFP Weekly Newsletter

What is Hong Kong Free Press?

Hong Kong Free Press is a non-profit English language news source seeking to unite critical voices. Free and independent, HKFP launched in 2015 amid rising concerns over declining press freedom in Hong Kong and during an important time in the city’s constitutional development.
Click here to learn how you can support us and ensure our independence.